A Blog on BAWGs

As we approch the NBA draft, I feel it is my duty to expose one of the most troubling trends of recent draft history. Despite extensive evidence that would warn against it, NBA GMs have refused to learn from past mistakes and continue to use high picks on Big American White Guys (henceforth referred to as BAWGs). Throughout the last decade, white American shooters like Mike Miller and Wally Szczerbiak have been solid contributors and several white forgeign big men like Dirk Nowitzki and Pau Gasol have done exceptionally well. But for whatever reason, BAWGs drafted in the lottery have been huge, unequivocal flops. I don't mean to be racist here, but I mean, come on- the evidence speaks for itself. Using this terrific Page 2 column as a research tool, I've compiled a list of every American white player 6'9" or taller taken in the lottery since 1992:

'92- Christian Laettner, 3rd overall: It's a travesty he made the Dream Team.

’92- Tom Guglitotta, 6th: I still can’t believe the Warriors traded Chris Webber for this guy.

’92- Adam Keefe, 10th: Sorry to hate on a Stanford guy, but puh-lease.

’93- Shawn Bradley, 2nd: Yes folks, it is possible to be 7’6” and suck at basketball.

’94- Eric Montross, 9th: Great as a Tar Heel, invisible as a Celtic.

’95- Cherokee Parks, 12th: Not only a BAWG, but a Duke player, so how could he not be a bust?

’96- Todd Fuller, 11th: Ugh. The Warriors passed up Kobe, Peja, Steve Nash and Jermaine O’Neal for this chump.

’97 Keith Van Horn, 2nd: The most accomplished player on this list, but not enough for a Number 2 pick.

’98- Raef LaFrentz, 3rd: Third overall? His superb teammate Dirk was taken 9th in this draft.

’00- Chris Mihm, 7th: You know it’s bad when you can’t get off the bench in Cleveland.

’00- Joel Przybilla, 9th: I would make an informed comment here, but I’m not sure this guy actually exists.

’02- Mike Dunleavy Jr., 3rd: Another Duke draft bust. Another Warriors blunder.

There you have it: not a single above-average player. And let’s not forget about all the BAWGs taken after the lottery (Curtis Borchardt anyone?). This is why I am so baffled that Chris Kaman and Nick Collison are projected in the top 10 for Thursday’s draft. Why can’t people learn that sometimes it’s OK to judge a book by its cover? Repeat after me, there has not been a great BAWG since Kevin McHale! So please Golden State, beware the BAWG.